Well derrick



Feb. 9, 1960 E. J. ROBINSON Q 2,924,309

WELL DERRICK Filed Oct. 26, 1955 S. Sheets-Sheet 1 IN VEN TOR.

Edward J. Rob/27500 Feb. 9, 1960 E. J. ROBINSON V 2,924,309

WELL DERRICK Filed om. 26, 1955 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. Edward J Rob/77500 BY ATTOP/VEY I I E 7 Feb. 9, 1960 E. J. ROBINSON 2,924,309 WELL DERRICK Filed Oct 26, 1955 s Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR.

Edward J. Rab/nsan Q United States Patent WELL DERRICK Edward J. Robinson, Tulsa, Okla. Application October 26, 1955, Serial No. 542,890

2 Claims. (Cl. 189-16) This invention relates to improvements in well derricks,

and more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to

a well derrick for utilization in the drilling of deep oil or gas well bores, and including means for facilitating the erection of the derrick.

Oil and gas bearing formations are being discovered today at greater and greater depths below, the earthssurface, and well derricks used in the drilling of deep Well bores must be able to withstand considerably greater working forces than derricks normally utilized on wells of lesser depths, particularly because of the increased length and weight of well tubing or drill pipe which must be suspended therefrom within the well bore. The present invention contemplates a well derrick particularly adapted for use in deep well drilling operations, and provides for a substantially higher lo'ad capacity than derricks normally utilized in present day well drilling. The novel derrick of the present invention may be erected to 'a greater height than has heretofore been possible, thereby providing an area of sufficient length and clearance to facilitate removal of more sections of drill pipe from the well bore in one operation. This is of great advantage,

particularly when it is considered that deep wells now extend to twenty thousand feet or more into'the earth. By providing for pulling of more pipe joints per stand, less derrick floor area is required for racking or storing the drill pipe in the derrick. The design of the novel derrick will permit the drill pipe stands to be racked Withinthe derrick at a substantially straighter or more vertical disposition than is normally possible with present day derricks, thuspermitting a greater number of drill pipe stands to be racked in a smaller derrick fioor area.

In spite of the great heights to which the novel derrick of theinvention may be erected, it may be easily transported from one well site to another, which is of particular advantage in large or tall derricks. The derrick may be readily disassembled into compact units for-ease of handling without dismantling the complete derrick. The novel derrick is so constructed to permit the derrick ladder, strings of mud stand pipe, rig lighting fixtures, and the like, to be permanently installed on the inside of the derrick sections prior to erection of the derrick, thereby substantially reducing the rigging time at the well site. This rig equipment may be encased within the derrick leg sections for protectionagainst damage thereto during transportation of the derrick from 'one location to another. The ladder may also be encased within the derrick leg sections, thereby providing a safety feature by greatly reducing hazards common to an open derrick ladder, such as falling therefrom.

The present invention further provides a novel means of erecting the derrick with a minimum of time and labor. A telescoping hoist apparatus is provided which readily elevates sections of the derrick from the ground level or derrick substructure to a suflicient height to permit additional derrick sections to be secured thereto in 'a'tandem relation to provide a well derrick of a suitdrilling of deep well bores.

2,924,309 Patented Feb. 9, 196i) able desired height. In this manner a substantial portion I of the well rigging operation at the well site maybe accomplished without the necessity of climbing upwardly on the derrick, thereby providing lesshazardous working conditions.

It is, therefore, an important object of this invention to provide a novel well derrick particularly for utilization in deep well bore drilling operations. a

It is another object of this invention to provide a novel well derrick having a higher load capacity than heretofore available in well derricks for facilitating the drilling of deep well bores.

It is another object of this invention to provide a'well derrick which may be erected to a greater height than heretofore possible in order to provide clearance-for longer drill pipe strings being used in the drilling operation, thereby substantially increasing the elficiency of the It is another object of this invention to provide a well derrick which may be elevated in sections to any desired height, thereby greatly decreasing the time required for erection of the derrick It is still another object of this invention to provide a hoisting apparatus for the well derrick which facilitates the assembly of the derrick by lifting the well derrick sections upwardly after which they are joined together in a tandem relation at the base of the derrick fora safer and greatly simplified erection.

and labor It is a further object of this invention to provide a well- It is a still further object of this invention to provide 7 a sectional well derrick of great strength and rigidity for facilitating deep well bore drilling operations which may be readily erected for use and dismantled I for transportation, and which is of economical and durable construction. Other objects and advantages of the invention-will be evident from the following detailed description, read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate my invention.

In the drawings: 1 Figure 1 is a perspective view of the novel well derrick of the invention being elevated by the ho'istingapparatu's therefor and with a portion of the foremost derrick 'le broken away for purposes of illustration. g

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a portion of the hoisting apparatus of the invention depicting the telescoping members and the lift member.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the hoisting apparatus in a horizontal position on the Well derrick substructure.

apparatus being raised from a horizontal position to a vertical position on the well derrick substructure. I Figure 6 is a perspective view of a completed well derrick embodying the invention and having the hoisting apparatus removed therefrom.

jderrick legsection in detail.

Figure 7 is a perspective view depicting an uppermost Figure 8 is a'broken perspective view in detaildepictitig a typical derrick leg section utilized in the construction of the derrick of theinvention. a

Figure 9 is a detail view showing the lower end. of'

the tubular member 62 and the cab le cross-over therefor. Referring to the drawings in detail, reference character- 10 generally refers to a well derrick adapted to be elevatedby a hoisting apparatus 12 in a manner as will be hereinafter set forth. The derrick 10 is preferably constructed of steel tubing or angle iron, but not limited thereto, and comprises four upwardly converging leg members .14 adapted to be rigidly secured to a derrick substructure 16" in any suitable manner (not shown). The leg members 14are constructed from a plurality of substantially identical elongated frame members 18 (Fig. 98')fsecured together in' tandem relation in a mannet. as will be hereinafter. setiforth. The uppermost Section 20 (Fig. 7:) of .the'derrick legs 14 is of substantially. less length than the. frame members 18 and is of a, slightly modified construction.

The frame members 18 (Fig. 8) comprise a plurality .of upright members 22, preferably four, made of tubular steel, angle iron, or the like, rigidly spaced apart by a plurality' of substantially horizontal brace members, 24 to. provide a. rectangular skeleton-like structure for the frame18. ,It will be apparent that suitable diagonally disposed cross bracing members (not shown) may also beprovided between the upright members 22 to strengthen the framemembers;18, if.des'ired. The uppermostleg section 2.0. (Fig. .7) is somewhat similar to the frame members 18 in'. that itis substantially a skeleton-like structure, and comprises a plurality (preferably three) of upright members 26 rigidly spaced apart by suitable horizontal brace members 28. The section 20 is further provided with an angularly disposed leg member 30 rigidly spaced from the upright members 26 by the brace members 28. The angularly disposed member 30 diagonally opposed legs 14 is not anticipated,,however,.

thereby providing for an unobstructed derrick interior permitting stacking of drill pipe, and the like (not shown), in a substantially vertical upright disposition within" the derrick 10. The derrick 10 is provided with a suitable wate table me be 6 igwhich pp the crown block 32, walkaround 38 and gin pole 40 in a manner well known in the art. the leg members 14, as herein set forth, provides a strength and rigidity for the derrick 10 which provides foran eflicient structure of a height and great load The construction of capacity not heretofore available in well derrick, thereby greatly facilitating the drilling of deep well bores wherein tremendous :working forces are carried by the derrick.

Furthermore, the skeleton-like structure of the frame;

members 18 provides for installation of rig lighting fixtures, ladders, mud stand pipe, and the like (not shown),

therein prior to assembly and erection of the derrick 10. V

Hoisting apparatus Referring now to Figs. 1 and 2, the hoisting apparatus 1 12 comprises a plurality of telescoping tubular members '42, preferably three, comprising tubular steel members of slightly varying diameters adapted to be coupled to ethe in an e r a o whe x n d y a y shi able means, such as couplings 44and locking pins 45, to provide any height therefor, as desired, as will hereinafter be set forth. The tubular members 42 are telescoped together, as clearly shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 5,

priorto extension and in such a manner as to shorten the overall length of the hoist apparatus 12 during transfportation thereof from one wellfsite to another and are provided with suitable stop members (not shown) to preclude accidental. disengagement thereof upon being moved to an extended position; The upper section 46 of the telescoping tubular members 42 are each adapted to slidably receive a leg member 48 of an extension member generally indicated at 50. The leg members 48 are provided with outwardly extending flanges 52 which cooperate with similar flanges49- provided on the upper- 'most coupling 44 for' rigidly securing the extension 50 l to the tubular members'42 as will be hereinafter set forth. The leg members 48 of the extension 50 extend upwardly and are provided with an inwardly directed angularly disposed portion 54 for bringing the legs 48 into closer disposition with respectto each other in order to facilitate securing of the derrick 10 thereto forerecl ion as will be hereinafter set forth.

It is desirableto provide suitably spaced brace members51 between the, tubular members 42, and similar. brace members 53 are provided between the legs 48 of the extension 50. Thebrace members 51 may be removably secured in a substantially horizontal position in any "suitable manner (not shown). They are easily removedduring telescoping of the tubular members 42 for portable transportation of the ,derrick10 and hoisting apparatus 12 from one location to another.

The extension member 50 is adapted to be moved upwardly by a lift member 56 (for extending the, tele-' scoping tubular members 42 which are secured to the legs 48. The lift member 56 comprisesan outer sleeve member 58 suspended in asubstantially central position relative to the tubular members .42 in any suitable manner, such as wire rope or cable 60, and remains substantially vertically stationary witlirespect thereto. A cylindrical member 62 extends longitudinally through the sleeve member 58 and is secured tothe extension 50 in anysuitable, manner, such as wire rope'or cables 64,.

so that vertical upward or downward movement of the cylindrical member 62 is transmitted to the extension 50. The outer sleeve member 58 is provided with a plurality (perferably four) of diametrically opposed pairs 'of pul-.

ley members 66 adjacent the upper end thereof for receiving wire rope or cables 68 which support a travelling block 70 many well known manner, as clearly shown in Fig. 2; The wire rope. 68 extends upwardly from an ear 71 of the travelling block 70 to pass over one of the pulleys 66 and extends downwardly in the annulus (not shown) between the sleeve 58 and cylinder 62 and then 6 passes diametrically across the bottom 72 (Fig. 9) of the cylinder 62 and back up the other side of the cylinder 62 and sleeve 58in the annulus therebetween, where it then passes over the oppositely disposed pulley'66 and extends downwardly to an ear 73 10f the travelling block 70. It will beapparent that two perpendicularly disposed wire rope arrangements as hereinbefore described will symmetrically support the cylinder :62 within the sleeve 58. It will further be apparent that the cylinder 62 and the sleeve 58'may be provided with cooperating longitudinal grooves (not shown) for wireline clearance if desired.

' A downward movement of the travelling block 70 will tend to lengthen the. distance between the travelling block 70 and the pulleys 66. This movement causes the rope 68 to pass over the pulleys .66 ina direction to move the cylinder 62 upward, and simultaneously therewith the extension member 50 is raised with respect to the tubular me bers .2- CQQWISQY; any upwar o emen o the travelling block70;tends to shorten the distance between the p ller 6 n th t v l ng lock 7 t u aus n lo e in of th ylihder 2 it in the S e 8 an t e eby l w r the e t si n .SQ t espe t to e t u a members 42 The t a el n block 0. i p efe ably? hiulfiahearesltravellihsblack, and re sed sameness from the ground level or base of the derrick 10 in any well known manner, such as a winch 74 (Figs. 1 and cooperating with a stationary block member 76 and suitable wire ropes or cables 78.

Operation In order to elevate the derrick on the substructure 16, the hoisting apparatus 12 must first be erected on the substructure 16. The plurality of tubular members 42 of varying diameters are telescoped in any suitable manner (not shown) to a minimum length, as shown in Figs. 3 to 5,inclusive, to facilitate manipulation of the hoist 12. The hoist may be moved onto the substructure -16 in a horizontal position as shown in Fig. 3 by the utilization of suitable skid members 80 in a manner well known in the art. The hoist 12 may then be moved horizontally on the skids 80 to a position so that the lower portion 82 thereof is substantially media of the substructure 16, such as at 81 (Fig. 4). The telescoping tubular members 42 will now extend beyond the substructure 16 a sufiicient distance to facilitate installation of the extension unit 50 therein. A lower portion (not shown) of the legs 48 of the extension unit 50 are disposed within the exposed or outermost tubular member 42 and coupling 44 and secured therein by bolting, or the like, between the flanges 49 and 52. The water table 36, walkaround 38 and gin pole 40 may be secured to the exposed portions of the extension unit 50 in any suitable manner (not shown). The uppermost derrick leg sections 20 (Fig. 7) may then be suitably secured to the water table. It will be apparent that the horizontal disposition of the hoist apparatus 12 greatly facilitates the installation of these derrick portions thereon. The winch 74 is operated by a suitable motor 86 and cooperates with the wire lines 78, stationary block 76 and travelling block 70 to move the hoist 12 and the derrick portions secured thereto into a vertical disposition on the substructure 16 in a manner well known in the art.

Referring now to Fig. 1, any desired number of derrick leg sections 18 (Fig. 8) may be disposed below the upper leg sections 20 and secured to each other in tandem relation to provide a well derrick of any required height when the hoist 12 has been erected to a vertical position on the substructure 16. The sections 18 may be hingedly secured together as clearly shown at 92 (Fig. l) with suitable pins (not shown) in the proximity of the substructure 16. Each section 18 is then lifted by operation of the extension unit 50 and lift unit 56 to bring the sec tion into a substantially vertical disposition, after which an additional section 18 is hingedly secured to the elevated section. The operation is continued until all of the sections are disposed upright, thereby providing the derrick legs 14. As hereinbefore set forth, a downward movement of the travelling block 70 will cause an upward movement of the cylinder 62 and extension 50. Thus, actuation of the rope or wire members 78 by means of the winch 74 and cooperating stationary block to lower the travelling block 70 will move the extension unit 50 and the derrick portions secured thereto in an upwardly direction. Thus, when the derrick has been elevated a suflicient distance in this manner, additional leg sections 18 may be added as hereinbefore set forth until the derrick 10 is of the desired height.

The crown block 32 may be suitably secured to the water table 36 prior to erection of the hoist 12, thereby eliminating the gin poles 40, if desired. However, it is most practical to elevate the crown block 32 into position through use of the gin pole 40 and cables (not shown) in the usual manner subsequent to erection of the derrick. The angular disposition of the inner leg 30 of the upper most derrick sections 20 provides sufiicient clearance for raising of the crown block to the top of the derrick.

A rope ladder (not shown) may be fastened to the telescopic section being raised to enable a rig man to reach the joint therebetween for pinning or. otherwise securing the telescopic sections in the vertical extended position. Each telescopic section is suitably braced by guy wires after it has been secured in the extended position, and the guy lines (not shown) do not in any way interfere with the raising or operation of the derrick.

When the derrick 10 has been elevated to the desired height, the lift extension unit 50 may be manually disconnected at 37 from the upper portions of the derrick. The winch 74, stationary block 76 and travelling block 70may then be utilized as hereinbefore set forth to lower the extension unit 50 and contract the telescopic members 42 to a minimum length to facilitate removal of the hoist 12 from the derrick 10. The hoist apparatus 12 may be again lowered to a horizontal position and moved off the substructure 16 by means of the skids 80. It will be apparent that the lowermost derrick leg sections 18 may be rigidly secured to the substructure 16 in any suitable manner (not shown) to provide a sturdy efiicient derrick. The guy wires (not shown) may also be removed upon removal of the hoist 12, and internal cross bracing (not shown) between the derrick legs 14 may be provided, if desired. The derrick may be utilized in the normal manner and with any available equipment required for drilling or servicing a well bore upon erection as hereinbefore set forth.

When it is desired to remove the derrick 10 from the substructure 16 for any purpose, such as transportation to a different well site, or the like, the erection operation is reversed. The hoist unit 12 may be placed on the substructure as hereinbefore set forth, and telescopically extended into contact with the upper portions of the derrick 10 for suitable connection at 37 with the water table 36. The hoist unit 12 may then be lowered to move the derrick unit 10 downwardly. The leg sections 18 may be unhinged and disconnected from each other in the proximity of the substructure 16 as the derrick is lowered, after which the hoist unit 12 may be moved to a horizontal position to facilitate removal of the upper derrick portions therefrom. The derrick sections 18 and 20 may be readily disposed on a truck (not shown), or the like, for portability. The hoist unit 12 in its contracted position may also be readily disposed on the truck for transport.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that the present invention provides a novel well derrick and hoisting means therefor which may be constructed to a height not .heretofore considered practical. The novel construction of the derrick provides for high load capacities which is of particular advantage in the drilling or servicing of deep well bores. Furthermore, the construction provides for safety features not possible with present day equipment of this type. The derrick may be readily transported from one site to another regardless of the height to which it may be elevated. The novel erection method greatly facilitates the rigging up time at the well site, thereby providing an efiicient and economical well derrick particularly for utilization with deep well bores.

Changes may be made in the combination and arrangement of parts as heretofore set forth in the specification and shown in the drawings, it being understood that any modification in the precise embodiment of the invention may be made within the scope of the following claims without departing from the spirit of the invention.

I claim:

1. A well derrick structure comprising spaced upwardly converging leg members, said leg members comprising a plurality of skeleton-like box shaped sections disposed in tandem relation, said box shaped sections comprising a plurality of parallel side members having bracing members provided therebetween, hinge means provided at each end of each box shaped section for hingedly securing the sections together to facilitate erection of the derrick section by section whereby a derrick of considerable height and strength is provided, said of he d nials s esx b 7 ecti n 9: fiolft t thereqfi, 2- A we l d rr k s mtur compri n pacedflpwa sl bn ra ngr q iw niber s d, e m mbeis mp is n a p ur lit o ets Qf sk to i ox sh s t ns disposed in tandem relation, said sets ofbox shaped se i n m b i in p ural y Of P lle s memb ha n hra i memb rs P d therebetween, nge me nsf q i d at the d f a h o wa adap ed to cooperate'to secure the sets of sections in tandem relation; an uppermost section of a construction similar to the box shaped sections and having one side member thereof angulafrlydisposed and extending inwardly with respect to ihe other side members thereoj, said last menhiazsq's sflgnspr vi ias ir lewe iasand. amma assess 49 upp rt mas 9 53 3 last- 92s! sestiea U References Cited in UNITED STATES PATENTS a. A Ander n 

